Keith Swank
Republican | Washington
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Keith Swank
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
Primary
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist. 8
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
University of Washington, Seattle, BS Psychology, 1994
WORK & MILITARY
US Army-Active, Spc/E-4, 1986-1989
Army Reserves, Spc/E4, 1989-1993
AFFILIATIONS
NRA, Life Member, Senate Conservative Fund
Member, Rock Mountain Elk Foundation, Member
Numbers USA
Member, St Judes, Contributor
Citizen's Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear, Life member, Youth Wrestling coach
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Vice Chairman 25th LD, 2019
PCO, 2006-2012
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
US House, 2012
US Senate, 2018
Race
Previous Races
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (13)
Bruce Dammeier (2012)
Cathy Dahlquist (2012)
Chris McDaniel (2014)
Dan Griffey (2014)
Hans Zeiger (2014)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Strongly Agree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds or grants from federal, state, or local governments.
Strongly Agree
I support the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which requires health care providers to provide life-saving treatment for infants who survive an attempted abortion.
Strongly Agree
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
To save the life of the mother.
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
Strongly Disagree
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
How would you guarantee Social Security benefits for future generations?
First, we need to audit all social programs. There is a lot of waste and fraud. Next, we need to look at privatization of the fund. We have one hundred trillion dollars of unfunded liabilities, and we need to address that debt immediately.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
I would reduce spending in social programs and eliminate "pork" in bills. I would like to get rid of the Department of Education. Education should be left to the states and local school districts. I would only vote for bills that are constitutional and within the role of the federal government. The federal government is involved in programs that cost tax payers a lot of money, and those programs should be implemented at the local level.
Under what circumstances should taxpayers help pay off existing student loans?
Taxpayers should not help pay off student loans. People are responsible for their own debts, and they should not expect tax payers to cover their loans.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Governments should not discriminate against individuals, organizations or small businesses because of their belief that marriage is only a union of one man and one woman.
Strongly Agree
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Strongly Agree
I promise to protect the freedom of Christians to share the Gospel and to practice Biblical principles.
Yes
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
All people have religious liberty to practice their faith as they wish without government interference.
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Strongly Disagree
I support the elimination of private healthcare insurance.
Strongly Disagree
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
I believe that the free market is the best way to promote healthcare. I believe that people should be able to buy health insurance like we buy car insurance. We can buy car insurance from anywhere, and we should be able to do the same for health insurance. Also, we should be able to purchase the coverage that works best for our families and values.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Agree
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of radical Islamic terrorism?
We need to use the military and intelligence agencies to find and neutralize radical Islamic terrorists.
IMMIGRATION
I am in favor of construction of a wall and other necessary infrastructure on our border that gives complete control over entering and exiting the United States.
Strongly Agree
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) should be abolished.
Strongly Disagree
State and federal funds should be denied to any public or private entity, including but not limited to sanctuary cities, that are not in compliance with immigration laws.
Strongly Agree
Employers should be required to use E-verify to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States.
Strongly Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
I believe that right now we should have a moratorium on immigration. Our unemployment is over 15 percent. We need to get Americans working again, and we need to make sure all who want to work have the opportunity before we bring in immigrants. If we have immigration it should be merit based as it is in many other countries. We should not allow immigrants to come to our country and then receive public benefits.
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
I support adding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a reborn Christian. I believe that Jesus is our savior, and through His grace I am saved.
ABOUT YOU
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and immigration, which of the following best describes you overall?
Very Conservative
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
Please visit www.keithswankforamerica.com and read about my beliefs and values. You can also see videos of me addressing groups.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No, I have not.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I am a United States Army Airborne Infantry veteran, and a thirty year veteran commander in the Seattle Police Department. I am a Christian, pro-life, pro-Second Amendment, pro-military, pro-law enforcement, pro-energy independence, pro-President Trump, Constitutional conservative. I believe in the Founders intent of a limited federal government.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Strongly Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
People who are convicted of violent felonies or deemed incompetent (by a court with due process) should be restricted from owning a gun. However, I believe that law abiding citizens should be able to own guns and carry them. Every day, lawful gun owners stop crimes and save lives.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
I support BDS (boycott, divestment, and sanction) against Israel if they refuse to allow the creation of a Palestinian state.
Strongly Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Disagree
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Strongly Disagree
In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?
1. Border security. Border security is necessary for national security. We need to build a physical wall on our southern border to stop dangerous drug cartels, violent gang members, drugs, and human trafficking. 2. Balanced budget amendment. The federal government needs to live within its means. 3. National concealed carry permit. The Second Amendment "shall not be infringed". The Second Amendment is continuously under attack.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism is not a threat to domestic security, but the reaction to racist acts, or perceived racist acts is a threat. As I write this we have just seen cities set on fire by anarchists who use racism as an excuse to destroy our cities.
